Rowan Public Library Hosts Author Katherine Reay October 9

The free event begins at 2 p.m. at RPL Headquarters, located at 201 West Fisher Street in Salisbury (28144). Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and registration is not required. A book signing and light reception will be held after the program. 

Fred & June’s Books of Mooresville will be onsite with books available for purchase while supplies last. For information about purchasing a copy of “The Undercover Bookshop” or Reay’s other titles, call 833-761-2543 or visit www.fredandjunesbooks.com. Pre-orders are encouraged.

“Undercover Bookshop,” which releases October 6, is historical fiction, set in the small Cotswold village of Great Rollright, England, in 1950. Inspired by classic British mysteries, it features amateur sleuth and mystery reader Gemma Brown. As she settles into her new village and makes friends, she begins to suspect the village baker, Ursula, is actually a Soviet spy – but are her suspicions legit? Or has Gemma been reading too many mystery novels?

“I love the sense of hope threaded throughout the story,” Reay said. “I feel as though England's recovery days post WWII — this novel takes place five years after the war’s end — read as a time of change and questions, much like our world and time right now. That connection felt powerful.”

Reay, the author of 12 novels and one work of non-fiction, is a writer who loves to write. “I absolutely love what I do and hope readers take away that sense of joy and commitment to the story. Reading is a relationship, and I sincerely hope that each reader finds a unique connection point within my stories.”

Reay’s earlier novels are contemporary and include “Dear Mr. Knightley” (2013) and “The Printed Letter Bookshop” (2019). Her shift into historical fiction writing has been well-received. Her novel, “The Berlin Letters,” was an NPR “Must Read” in 2024.

According to Reay, the switch to “historical fiction and spies has changed the pace of both my writing and the resulting stories. There’s a tension and electricity that seems to flow more naturally through my writing now.”

Intriguing characters lead her to the incredible historical backdrops featured in her recent work. “For the last several years, I have been intrigued by the spies of the Cold War and the dynamic, shadowed, time in which they lived and worked. I also love examining history and discovering the points of connection to our contemporary lives. It makes for a very immersive writing and reading experience,” she said.

“I start researching the time and people for a novel, and it takes over everything — every nonfiction and fiction book I read, every movie and show I watch, and even some of the food I eat. Only when I get a real sense and texture of the time will I actually begin writing.”

Writing is only part of modern authorship; there are also communities of readers who seek to engage with the authors. Reay enjoys this part of the work as well. She is also active in online communities herself and is a co-founder and host of the “What the Dickens Book Club” on Facebook and “The 10 Minute Book Talk” on Instagram. 

“It’s an absolute delight to get to know readers and reading communities in such a personal format. My online presence is all my own — which is probably why it looks terribly amateurish — but it’s such a point of direct connection that I wouldn’t want to give that up.” 

Libraries remain an important part of Reay’s personal story and continue to play a vital role in communities across the country. “…Libraries are part of my DNA,” Reay said. “I have always been an avid reader and at a very young age my mom would take us to the library about once a week for a new haul of books.”

“Libraries are cornerstones of our communities — yes, it’s important to use them, support them, respect them, and nurture them. I am sure there are statistics on this — there certainly are statistics on the importance of physical books for children and adults — but I would bet communities with active libraries are healthier, happier places to live. It’s simply logical,” she added.

Residents are encouraged to attend this opportunity to hear directly from a nationally recognized author, learn about her creative process, and celebrate the joy of reading.

To learn more about Katherine Reay and her work, visit www.katherinereay.com, or for more information about the Rowan Public Library and its resources, programs, and services, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.